Payment card with light-based signature

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for light-based authentication of a payment card. The payment card may include a randomized mix of materials. The materials may include transparent or translucent materials. A light source may shine light on a surface of the payment card. Light passing through the card may generate a light pattern that is unique to the payment card. The light pattern may be captured and compared to a reference light pattern to authenticate the payment card. In some embodiments, photodetectors may detect light patterns generated through interactions with the card materials.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

Aspects of the disclosure relate to light-based protocols forauthenticating a payment card.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Payment cards such as credit or debit cards typically encode sensitiveuser information in a magnetic strip or an EMV chip. Even if a cardremains in a user's possession, this sensitive information may beextracted by a bad actor during a point of sale transaction or other useof the card. In addition, card data may be compromised while stored inan issuer database or a merchant database. A bad actor may use the datato generate a cloned credit card with the user account information.

It would be desirable to provide a unique physical card signature, i.e.a pattern of light passing through the card, reflecting off the card, orgenerated by interaction with the card, that cannot be easily replicatedon a cloned payment card.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Systems, methods and apparatus for light-based authentication of apayment card are provided.

The payment card may include a randomized mix of materials. Thematerials may include translucent or transparent materials.

A light source may generate light in a predetermined range ofwavelengths. The light source may be positioned to shine light on afront surface of the payment card.

An image capture device may capture a light pattern cast by light fromthe light source passing through the card. The image capture device mayconvert the captured light pattern to a digital image.

A processor in communication with the image capture device may comparethe digital image of the captured light pattern to a digital image of areference light pattern. The processor may authenticate the payment cardwhen the digital image of the captured light pattern matches the digitalimage of the reference light pattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencecharacters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1A shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 1B shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 1C shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 1D shows illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows illustrative system components in accordance withprinciples of the disclosure; and

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative process flow in accordance with principlesof the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems, methods and apparatus may include a payment card with a uniquelight-based signature. The payment card signature may be adistinguishing physical feature that marks the card as unique.

The payment card may have a size and thickness similar or identical to aconventional credit card. The payment card may have a thickness that isnot greater than 0.8 millimeters (“mm”) and a surface area that is notgreater than 86 mm×54 mm. Such a compact form factor may allow thepayment card to be inserted into traditional card readers and functionas a typical debit or credit card. The payment card may include amagnetic strip for encoding user identification or user accountinformation. The payment card may include an EMV chip.

The payment card may be composed of a randomized mix of materials. Insome embodiments, the payment card materials may be randomly selectedfrom a predetermined set of materials. In some embodiments, the set ofpayment card materials may be fixed, but the arrangement of materialswithin the card may be randomized. In some embodiments, both theselection and the arrangement of payment card materials may berandomized. The materials may be synthetic materials, organic materialsor a combination of synthetic and organic materials.

In some embodiments, the entire payment card may be composed of therandomized mix of materials. In some embodiments a predefined panelwithin the payment card may be composed of the randomized mix ofmaterials. The panel may be any suitable size.

Some or all of the randomized mix of materials may allow light to passthrough the card. In some embodiments, the materials may includetransparent or translucent materials. The transparent or translucentmaterials may be colorless or may be tinted with one or more colors.

In some embodiments the payment card may include holes, slits or otherperforations that enable light to pass through the card. The card mayinclude any suitable number of perforations. The distribution ofperforations may be random or may form a specific pattern. Theperforations may be continuous or discrete. The perforations may berandomly located across the entire card surface. The perforations may beconfined to a predefined panel on the card. In some embodiments, apredefined panel that includes the perforations may be covered with aprotective coating to prevent the perforations from becoming blocked. Insome embodiments, the perforations may be protected by a laminatedcovering encasing the entire card.

In some embodiments, the entire payment card may be formed from atransparent or translucent material. A predefined panel on a transparentpayment card may include a randomized combination of transparent andopaque materials. The randomized placement of opaque materials mayproduce a unique pattern when light passes through the payment card. Insome embodiments, placement of a logo or other standard card elements ona transparent or translucent payment card may be randomly varied tochange the pattern of light and shadow cast by light passing through thecard.

Systems, methods and apparatus may include a light source. The lightsource may emit light in a single wavelength or a range of wavelengths.The light may be in the visible spectrum. The light may be outside thevisible spectrum, such as UV light. The light source may includeincandescent bulbs, light emitting diodes (LEDs), or any suitable lightemitting medium. The light source may include one or more fixed oradjustable filters. The light source may include a laser or a set oflasers.

Systems, methods and apparatus may include an image capture device forcapturing a pattern generated by light passing through the payment card.In some embodiments, the light source and the image capture device maybe combined in a single unit.

The unit may include slots or grooves to maintain a payment card at aconsistent distance from the light source and the image capture device.In some embodiments, markers or other guidelines may indicate thecorrect card position with respect to the light source. The payment cardmay be positioned so that light shines on a front surface of the card.The payment card may be positioned so that light shines on a rearsurface of the card.

The unit may be a card reader. In some embodiments, the card reader mayalso perform transaction functions. The card reader may be located at apoint of sale. The card reader may be part of an ATM.

The image capture device may include a camera or a scanner for capturingan image of the light pattern. The light pattern may be cast on asurface below the card and may be captured from above. The light patternmay fall directly on a surface of the image capture device such as ascanner platen or a digital camera lens.

The image capture device may capture a colored image for a light patternthat includes one or more colors. The image capture device may digitizea captured image for comparison or storage.

The light source and the image capture device may be powered by anysuitable power source. In some embodiments, a unit including the lightsource and the image capture device may be portable and powered by abattery. The battery may be rechargeable.

A reference light pattern may be determined prior to issuance of thepayment card. The reference light pattern may be based on light passingthrough the card at each of the predetermined wavelengths or ranges ofwavelengths emitted by the light source. The reference light patternsmay be stored in association with data identifying the payment card, theuser and/or a user account. The reference light patterns may be storedin a remote database.

At a time of use, the light source may shine light on the surface of thepayment card at one of the predetermined wavelengths or ranges ofwavelengths. A light pattern cast by light passing through the paymentcard may be captured and compared to a stored reference light pattern.Data identifying the user or the payment card may be used to access thestored reference light pattern.

Any suitable image recognition algorithm may be used to compare thelight pattern at time of use to the reference light pattern.Illustrative image comparison methods include template matching andpoint feature matching. Systems, apparatus and methods may apply deeplearning neural networks such as a convolutional neural network (CNN). ACNN is particularly suited for processing 2D images because it convolveslearned features with input data and uses 2D convolutional layers forclassification.

When a light pattern produced at the time of use matches the referencelight pattern, the payment card may be authenticated. The match may be apercentage match. The payment card may be authenticated when thepercentage match is at or above a predetermined threshold. The paymentcard may be declined when the percentage match is below the threshold.In some embodiments, multiple percentages may be recorded, eachassociated with a different aspect of the image match. Differentthresholds may be applied for each of these percentage matches. In someembodiments, the authentication may function as a secondary form ofauthentication.

In some embodiments, data associated with the reference light patternmay be encoded on the payment card magnetic strip. In some embodiments,an image of the reference light pattern may be encoded on the paymentcard magnetic strip. A light pattern at a time of use may be compared tothe reference light pattern obtained from the magnetic strip toauthenticate the card. In this way, the payment card may beself-authenticating. Even if the magnetic strip were to be compromised,a payment card with a light-based signature would still be protectedfrom cloning, as reconstruction of the exact mix and placement of cardmaterials would be prohibitively time-consuming and expensive.

In some embodiments, the payment card may include a diffraction grating.Each payment card may include a unique diffraction grating. In someembodiments, each payment card may be randomly assigned one of a fixedset of diffraction gratings. The diffraction grating may separate lightemitted by the light source into individual wavelengths. One or morephotodetectors or photosensors may detect light in the specificwavelengths and generate electrical signals in response. In someembodiments a 2D array of photosensors may generate a digital image.Photosensors may be incorporated along with the light source into asingle unit.

Optimal placement of photosensors may be determined prior to issuance ofthe payment card. The diffraction grating may be placed in apredetermined position with respect to a light source. Optimal placementof photosensors may be determined based on the angle of incidence andthe wavelengths involved.

At the time of use, the payment card including the diffraction gratingmay be placed in the predetermined position with respect to a lightsource. Photosensors may be located in the predetermined optimalpositions for detection of the refracted light. If the photosensorsdetect refracted light in the correct wavelengths, the payment card maybe authenticated.

In some embodiments, the payment card may incorporate materials thatfluoresce in response to light at a predetermined wavelength. The lightmay be UV light. In some embodiments, the randomized mix of materialsmay include materials that fluoresce when exposed to UV light.

A pattern of fluorescence for the randomized mix of card materials maybe determined prior to issuance of the payment card. The payment cardmay be placed in a predetermined position beneath a light source. Animage detection device may capture a reference fluorescence pattern onthe surface of the payment card. At the time of use, a fluorescencepattern may be captured by an image detection device and compared to astored reference pattern.

In some embodiments, fluorescence may be detected by photosensorspositioned to detect wavelengths produced in response to light from thelight source. Optimal placement of the photosensors may be determinedprior to issuance of the payment card. The payment card may be placed ina predetermined position beneath a light source. Optimal placement ofphotosensors may be determined based on the angle of incidence and thewavelengths to be detected.

At the time of use, the payment card including the fluorescent materialmay be placed in the same position with respect to a light source.Photosensors may be located in the optimal position to detect thefluorescence. If the photosensors detect fluorescence in the correctwavelengths, the payment card may be authenticated.

In some embodiments, the payment card may be a metal card. The metalcard may include grooves, indentations, or other formations that affecta light beam directed at the card. Photosensors may be positioned inpredetermined optimal locations to detect light reflecting off thepayment card. In some embodiments, the photosensors may includephotodiodes or phototransistors capable of translating the light intoelectrical signals to produce images or sound for card authentication.

The payment card may be combined with a protective case or holder toprevent damage to features associated with the light-based signature.Payment cards incorporating these features may be replaced on a morefrequent basis than conventional cards.

In some embodiments, the randomized mix of materials may include acombination of opaque materials. The light emission source may irradiatethe payment card with photons at one of the predetermined wavelengths.

The photons may pass through the payment card using quantum tunneling.Quantum tunneling effect is a property of quantum physics that enables aparticle to pass through a physical barrier. Due to the randomized mixof materials, each payment card will have a different mix of refractiveindices as well as different absorption and scatter properties. As aresult, each payment card will have a different effect on the velocityof the photons passing through the card.

The pattern of velocities for the photons passing through the variouscard materials may provide a unique quantum-based light signature forthe payment card.

The system may store a reference velocity spectrum for each of thepredetermined wavelengths emitted by the light source. The referencespectra may be stored in association with other data identifying thepayment card, the user or a user account.

At a time of use, the payment card may be irradiated with light at oneof the predetermined wavelengths. The velocity spectrum for the photonspassing through the payment card may be detected. The velocity spectrummay be compared to a stored reference velocity spectrum for thepredetermined wavelength. If the velocity spectrum at the time of usematches the reference spectrum, the payment card may be authenticated.

For the sake of illustration, the invention will be described as beingperformed by a “system.” The system may include one or more features ofthe apparatus and methods that are described herein and/or any othersuitable device or approach.

The system may include various hardware components. Such components mayinclude a battery, a speaker, and antenna(s). The system may includeRAM, ROM, an input/output (“I/O”) module and a non-transitory ornon-volatile memory.

The I/O module may include a microphone which may accept user providedinput. The I/O module may include one or more of a speaker for providingaudio output and a display for providing textual, audiovisual and/orgraphical output.

Software may be stored within the non-transitory memory and/or otherstorage media. Software may include an operating system, applicationprograms, web browser and a database. Alternatively, some or all ofcomputer executable instructions of the system may be embodied inhardware or firmware components of the system.

Application programs, which may be used by the system, may includecomputer-executable instructions for invoking user functionality relatedto communication, authentication services, and voice input and speechrecognition applications. Application programs may utilize one or morealgorithms that encrypt information, process received executableinstructions, interact with enterprise systems, perform power managementroutines or other suitable tasks.

The system may operate in a networked environment. The system maysupport establishing communication channels with one or more enterprisesystems. The system may connect to a local area network (“LAN”), a widearea network (“WAN”) a cellular network or any suitable communicationnetwork. When used in a LAN networking environment, the system may beconnected to the LAN through a network interface or adapter. When usedin a WAN networking environment, the system may include a modem or othermeans for establishing communications over a WAN, such as the Internet.It will be appreciated that the existence of any of various well-knownprotocols such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP and the like is presumed.

The system may be operational with numerous other general purpose orspecial purpose computing system environments or configurations.Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include,but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-heldor laptop devices, tablets, mobile phones and/or other personal digitalassistants (“PDAs”), multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-basedsystems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environmentsthat include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

The system may utilize computer-executable instructions, such as programmodules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modulesinclude routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc.that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. The system may be operational with distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer storage media including memory storage devices.

Systems, methods, and apparatus in accordance with this disclosure willnow be described in connection with the figures, which form a parthereof. The figures show illustrative features of apparatus and methodsteps in accordance with the principles of this disclosure. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural,functional and procedural modifications may be made without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

The steps of methods may be performed in an order other than the ordershown and/or described herein. Method embodiments may omit steps shownand/or described in connection with illustrative methods. Methodembodiments may include steps that are neither shown nor described inconnection with illustrative methods. Illustrative method steps may becombined. For example, an illustrative method may include steps shown inconnection with any other illustrative method.

Apparatus may omit features shown and/or described in connection withillustrative apparatus. Apparatus embodiments may include features thatare neither shown nor described in connection with illustrativeapparatus. Features of illustrative apparatus may be combined. Forexample, an illustrative apparatus embodiment may include features shownor described in connection with another illustrative apparatus/methodembodiment.

FIGS. 1A-1D shows illustrative payment card 100. In FIG. 1A, paymentcard 100 includes light-based signature panel 102. Panel 102 includes arandomized mix of opaque and translucent materials.

In FIGS. 1B and 1C, a randomized selection of opaque and transparentmaterials is placed into predefined spaces within panel 102. The opaquematerials may be identical to the material used for the rest of thecard. The transparent materials may be tinted with a variety of colors.

In FIG. 1D, panel 102 includes a randomized set of openings. Panel 102may include a protective coating to prevent occlusion of the openings.In some embodiments, the pattern of openings may be randomly selectedfrom a predefined set of patterns.

FIG. 2 shows illustrative system components 200 for authenticating apayment card with a light-based signature. The system components mayinclude one more features of payment card 100, shown in FIGS. 1A-1D.

Payment card 204 is generated using a randomized mix of materials. Therandomized materials include transparent and translucent materials.Payment card 204 is positioned below light source 202. Light from lightsource 202, shining through the translucent areas of payment card 204,produces light pattern 206. Light pattern 206 may be captured andcompared to a reference light pattern stored in database 208. If lightpattern 206 matches the reference light pattern, the payment card may beauthenticated. In some embodiments light source 202 may be combined withan image capture device in a single unit.

FIG. 3 shows illustrative process flow 300 for authenticating a paymentcard having unique a light-based signature. Process flow 300 may includeone or more features of payment card 100, shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. Processflow 300 may include one or more of system components 200, shown in FIG.2.

At step 302, a user inserts the payment card in a card reader. At step304, the card reader shines light with a particular wavelength or rangeof wavelengths on the surface of the card. At step 306, the card readercaptures a light pattern produced by light passing through therandomized mix of payment card materials. At step 308 the captured lightpattern is transmitted to a server. At step 310, the captured lightpattern is compared to a reference light pattern stored in databasememory. If the light pattern matches the reference light pattern, atstep 312 the card is authenticated and a payment is authorized. If thelight pattern does not match the reference light pattern, at step 314the payment is declined.

Thus, methods and apparatus for a PAYMENT CARD WITH LIGHT-BASEDSIGNATURE are provided. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe present invention can be practiced by other than the describedembodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration ratherthan of limitation, and that the present invention is limited only bythe claims that follow.

1. A system for light-based authentication of a payment card, the systemcomprising: a payment card comprising a randomized mix of materials; alight source configured to emit light in a predetermined range ofwavelengths; an image capture device configured to: capture a lightpattern, the light pattern appearing when light from the light sourcepasses through the payment card; and convert the captured light patternto a digital image; and a processor in communication with the imagecapture device, the processor configured to: compare the digital imageof the captured light pattern to a digital image of a reference lightpattern; and authenticate the payment card when the digital image of thecaptured light pattern matches the digital image of the reference lightpattern, the match comprising a percentage match that is greater than apredetermined threshold; wherein: the payment card comprises a materialthat fluoresces in response to light emitted by the light source; theimage capture device comprises a photosensor configured to detect afluoresced wavelength, the photosensor position determined based on anangle of incidence and a predetermined wavelength; and the processor isconfigured to authenticate the payment card when the fluorescedwavelength corresponds to the predetermined wavelength.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the randomized mix of materials comprises a translucentmaterial.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the randomized mix ofmaterials comprises a single material having a randomized pattern ofperforations.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the randomized mix ofmaterials is located within a defined portion of the payment card, thedefined portion smaller than the entire card.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the light source is positioned above a front surface the paymentcard and the image capture device is positioned below a rear surface ofthe payment card.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source andthe image capture device are combined in a single unit.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein an encoded magnetic strip on the payment card isconfigured to store the digital image of the reference light pattern. 8.A method for light-based authentication of a payment card, the methodcomprising: generating a payment card comprising: a randomized mix ofmaterials comprising one or more randomly selected materials from afirst set of materials comprising opaque materials and one or morerandomly selected materials from a second set of materials comprisingtranslucent materials; and a plurality of predefined spaces extendingthrough a front card surface and a rear card surface, each space filledwith one of the randomly selected materials from the first set ofmaterials or the second set of materials; emitting light from a lightsource in a predetermined range of wavelengths, light source positionedto irradiate a surface of the payment card; capturing a light patternwith an image capture device, the light pattern cast by light from thelight source passing through the payment card; converting the capturedlight pattern to a digital image; accessing a digital image of areference light pattern, the digital image of the reference lightpattern associated with a payment card account; comparing the digitalimage of the captured light pattern to a digital image of a referencelight pattern to determine a percentage match; authenticating thepayment card when the percentage match is at or above a predeterminedthreshold; and declining the payment card when the percentage match isbelow a predetermined threshold.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein therandomized mix of materials comprises a transparent material.
 10. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the randomized mix of materials comprises asingle material having a randomized pattern of perforations.
 11. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the randomized mix of materials is locatedwithin a defined portion of the payment card, the defined portionsmaller than the entire card.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein thelight source is positioned above the payment card and the image capturedevice is positioned below the payment card.
 13. The method of claim 8,wherein the light source and the image capture device are combined in asingle card reader unit.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein a digitalimage of the reference light pattern is stored on an encoded magneticstrip on the payment card.
 15. A card reader for light-basedauthentication of a payment card, the card reader comprising: a lightsource configured to emit light in a predetermined range of wavelengths,the light source positioned to irradiate a surface of a payment card; animage capture device configured to: capture a light pattern, the lightpattern generated when light from the light source passes through thepayment card; and convert the captured light pattern to a digital image;and a processor configured to: access a reference light patternassociated with a payment card account; compare the captured lightpattern to the reference light pattern; and authenticate the paymentcard when the digital image of the captured light pattern matches thedigital image of the reference light pattern, the match comprising apercentage match that is greater than a predetermined threshold;wherein: the payment card comprises at least one material thatfluoresces in response to light from the light source; the image capturedevice comprises a photosensor configured to detect a fluorescedwavelength, the photosensor position determined based on an angle ofincidence and a predetermined wavelength; and the processor isconfigured to authenticate the payment card when the fluorescedwavelength corresponds to the predetermined wavelength.
 16. The cardreader of claim 15, wherein the payment card comprises a randomized mixof opaque and transparent materials.
 17. The card reader of claim 15,wherein the payment card comprises a randomized pattern of perforations.18. The card reader of claim 16, wherein the randomized mix of materialsis located within a defined portion of the payment card, the definedportion smaller than the entire card.
 19. The card reader of claim 15,wherein the light source is positioned above the payment card and theimage capture device is positioned below the payment card.
 20. The cardreader of claim 15, wherein the reference light pattern is encoded on apayment card magnetic strip.